School Cafeteria Workers Get Culinary Boot Camp

In the past, cafeteria helpers were mostly trained in "cooking safety" but not necessarily in "cooking". In light of how people are protesting child obesity and unhealthy foods available in schools, now school cafeterias are training their personnel in a "culinary boot camp" learning to cook pork roasts, chicken, vegetables and casseroles. "Cook for America" founder, Kate Adamick also discusses child psychology, nutrition and marketing. They teach time management, culinary math , knife skills and menu planning. The boot camp is one of the several efforts to get more produce and whole grains and more freshly cooked foods onto school lunch trays. Santa Barbara County schools are on the bandwagon due to the Orfalea Fund, a local foundation, who supports the boot camps and follow-up training once the staff returns to school as well as grants for equipment.